Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Someone on Facebook brought this up and I thought I would as your opinions. Does (did) being called fat or obese bother you? (Or morbidly obese) or did you not care? Did one bug you more? Why?

When you're young, fat is sad. But it didn't big me much as an adult as that's how I thought of/described myself. But obese I hate, especially MORBIDLY obese. I love when your doc says your morbidly obese , duh it's not a secret it's visible. The worst was my barium swallow (1st one) my note said "Reason- Super Morbid obesity due to excessive caloric intake" Was that last part necessary ? AND my bmi wasn't in the SUPER MORBID OBESITY range. Now I'm one point to only regular obese i think.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Overweight (not obese), if BMI is 25.0 to 29.9. Class 1 (low-risk) obesity, if BMI is 30.0 to 34.9. Class 2 (moderate-risk) obesity, if BMI is 35.0 to 39.9. Class 3 (high-risk) obesity, if BMI is equal to or greater than 40.0.

From the World Health Organization:

Any BMI ≥ 35 - 40 is severe obesity

A BMI of ≥ 40–44.9 is morbid obesity

A BMI of ≥ 45 or 50 is super obese

I was morbidly obese when I started this crazy ride.

While I hate the words...they're true. Fat was killing me.

Edited by Creekimp13

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was in denial about how fat I was at 270, I didn't feel that fat. I figured...meh...I'm kinda chunky. I conditioned myself to be very blind to my weight. Baggy shirts, long sweaters, great shoes. I look pretty average, right? I didn't...but I really thought I did.

Looking in the mirror didn't bother me. Losing endurance, energy, etc didn't bother me...I made excuses...Hell, I'm getting older, I'm slowing down and getting creaky. It is what it is.

I avoided addressing it.

Then, one day, my blood glucose test came back at the doctor's office prediabetic for the second time in a row. For whatever reason...THAT hit home. THAT made me go...oh my god...my health is being seriously affected by this, this will take years off my life. My leg swelling got worse, and I thought....Ok, I'm in trouble. This is bad.

Now, looking back at the old photos....I'm going...Wow...I really had no idea.

Edited by Creekimp13

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I said this on the Facebook thread but I'll share here again. I don't mind fat or obese. "Fat" is just a quick and easy descriptor to me, and far preferable to the euphemisms that folks have used to describe me over the years. Obese/morbidly obese/super morbidly obese (the latter of which I am) are just medical terms and they don't bother me. I've been fat since I was a kid - there was no slow creep of weight over the course of a decade or anything. The reality has always been there and I just prefer to face it.

What did bother me was when two separate medical professionals made complimentary statements about "how well I take care of my skin," referring, of course, to the skin on my belly and thighs, etc. It was a shock to realize they saw me as a person that might have difficulty taking care of myself. Ouch. That freakin hurt.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

funny thing is that I am ok referring to myself as fat when that is the most accurate descriptor. But the was this woman that would say "oh don't say that about yourself." I didn't get it, I still don't. It is not an insult to me but a descriptor of all this insulation I carry around. Now if you called me ugly ... well... them's fighting words. :72_imp:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow 8 weeks I was once (barely) super obese,....But in 8 weeks I've lost enough that I will go down another step and be a severe obese person. I'm winning and I'm killing this!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This year I will fit in my kayak!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Names and tags don't bother me. I describe myself as super morbid obese when I need to. I have even told people to look for the fattest person in the room and it is probably me. I am what I am. I wish it did bother me because I'm one of those people that when something bothers me I fix it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Agree with above poster. Many of these terms are medical diagnoses. They are what they are. If your BMI falls in that range, it is usually coded as such for medical/insurance purposes as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The reason your medical documentation states “morbidly obese due to excessive caloric intake” is because of the billing codes that are necessary for insurance purposes. I wouldn’t worry about that. And healthcare professionals have to use medical terminology. I do it all the time in my line of work.

Of course we know we are fat/obese. It never bothered me. But in my life I never experienced much name calling. I guess I was lucky.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I knew I was fat, so in adulthood it never bothered me, and if someone tried to use it as a quip or insult I'd always act shocked, look down at my stomach and throw my hands up and feign shock and awe at my unnoticed weight, then I'd just look at them with a "no $hit" look, that typically stopped them right in it's tracks. As a kid it bugged me, mainly because I really didn't know why I was overweight. I got teased often, and by pretty much everyone including family. I loved to swim, so I got the "Matt Matt the Water rat, he is fat and that is that" quite often. Really killed my self image, to the point where when I was in the Military, I still didn't think or feel that I looked good. Looking back, I'd give anything to be 190 lbs of lean muscle again.

I really don't like the "...obese due to excessive calories" line, for me specifically because I've been banded since 2011, so, since 2011, I've been on reduced calorie intake, so, that's not quite the reason any more, I correct it every chance I get on my charts because it's just not accurate.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 6/1/2018 at 8:29 PM, Creekimp13 said:

I was in denial about how fat I was at 270, I didn't feel that fat. I figured...meh...I'm kinda chunky. I conditioned myself to be very blind to my weight. Baggy shirts, long sweaters, great shoes. I look pretty average, right? I didn't...but I really thought I did.

Looking in the mirror didn't bother me. Losing endurance, energy, etc didn't bother me...I made excuses...Hell, I'm getting older, I'm slowing down and getting creaky. It is what it is.

I avoided addressing it.

Then, one day, my blood glucose test came back at the doctor's office prediabetic for the second time in a row. For whatever reason...THAT hit home. THAT made me go...oh my god...my health is being seriously affected by this, this will take years off my life. My leg swelling got worse, and I thought....Ok, I'm in trouble. This is bad.

Now, looking back at the old photos....I'm going...Wow...I really had no idea.

Totally. This was me. I somehow didn’t see how fat I was. I knew I was fat but I didn’t really think I was really obese, but I was. I would see my reflection or shadow and actually think I wasn’t seeing it right, I couldn’t be THAT round.

Here’s the clincher for me. My mom is obese plus she has Alzheimer’s. Every so often I do have to tell her that it is her weight why she can’t fit here or go there or why something is difficult (like getting in dan out of bed). And when I tell her what she weighs, or gently say she is very overweight, she (ok to smile here, it is so cute) looks down at her little wrist and says she’s not fat!!! She doesn’t have her marbles, so it’s kind of cute she does that, ignoring her enormous middle, but aren’t we all a little like her? How fat could I be with these lovely wrists?? Ha Ha Ha.

Slightly OT but maybe our seniors here can agree: I see every day that for normal daily function, obesity makes life much harder than old age does. By far Mom’s obesity is more of an hindrance than added years. She’d be quite mobile if she weren’t obese.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I try to figure things by saying I'm plump or pudgy but I know in my❤ I'm morbid biardering on super obese that's WHY I'm seeking a surgical,assistance,so much.!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fat never bothered me because I my mind it was the truth and I fell into that category for a LONG time. But I was also in denial as I always thought “at least I’m not obese”. I knew that my BMI put me in the obese category but there was so much talk about BMI not being accurate, or a number to focus on so I dismissed it. To me being 250lbs was not obese because I was comparing myself to people that were over 400lbs.

Long story short obese and morbidly obese very much bother me because those words force me to admit what horrible shape my body really is in.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×